This guide explains how to set up and use the Signal application for private, end-to-end encrypted messaging. The instructions come directly from the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
What it does
According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Signal is a free and open-source application for Android, iOS, and desktop that employs end-to-end encryption to keep communications safe.
Electronic Frontier Foundation notes that Signal has certified to courts that it only maintains two types of user data available to law enforcement: timestamps of when each account was created and the date that each account last connected to the Signal service.
Before you start
Electronic Frontier Foundation states that system requirements include Android 5 or later, or iOS 13 or later. The versions referenced in the guide are Android 7.38.6 and iPhone 7.5.1.
Steps
Step 1: Search for Signal in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store to download and install the application on your mobile device, as outlined by the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Step 2: Open the app, enter your phone number, and follow the prompts to verify your phone number using the six-digit code sent via SMS text, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Step 3: Create a secure PIN or passphrase and enter your profile information to finish the setup process, as recommended by the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Step 4: From the chat tab, tap the pen icon to start a new message by picking a registered user from your contacts or entering a phone number, as described by the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
What the organization says
Electronic Frontier Foundation states that Signal's default setup is relatively secure, but users can configure additional security settings such as registration lock, usernames, backups, and disappearing messages to enhance their privacy.
Key facts and where they come from
- Signal is a free and open-source application that uses end-to-end encryption.
Signal is a free and open-source application for Android, iOS, and desktop that employs end-to-end encryption to keep communications safe.
- System requirements for the app are Android 5 or later, or iOS 13 or later.
System requirements: Android 5 or later, iOS 13 or later